Speaking at the Geneva II peace conference in Switzerland, Foreign Secretary
William Hague says that "now is the time to choose to save a generation
of Syrian children from violence and trauma"

Foreign Secretary William Hague has urged the warring sides in the Syrian civil war to "put an end to the devastation of your country" by staying at the negotiating table, as peace talks to end the three-year conflict opened in Switzerland.

Speaking at the "Geneva II" conference, Mr Hague called for a firm timetable for the creation of a transitional government acceptable to both sides, along with ceasefire agreements to allow full and immediate humanitarian access to the millions of people who have been forced from their homes by the fighting.

US secretary of state John Kerry told the conference there was "no way" that Syria's president Bashar Assad can form part of any future government for the Middle Eastern state.

Representatives of both the Assad regime and the main opposition groups have gathered in the town of Montreux for the biggest diplomatic push yet to halt the bloodshed which has cost more than 130,000 lives and sparked a massive humanitarian emergency.

Mr Hague urged both sides in Syria to "seize the chance" to end the civil war as he arrived at the talks, which are intended to bring about the implementation of a roadmap for peace drawn up in Geneva in 2012.

"The only way to end the bloodshed and deal with extremist threats is to reach an inclusive political settlement that takes into account the needs and aspirations of all Syria's communities, with a Syrian-led political process leading to a transition, enabling the Syrian people independently and democratically to determine their future," said Mr Hague.

"These talks are only the start of a process that will require commitment and courage, but I urge both sides to remain at the negotiating table.

"To them I say: this is your opportunity to put an end to the devastation of your country. Now is the time to choose to save a generation of Syrian children from violence and trauma, to end the siege being laid to ancient towns and cities, to begin to repair the rich fabric of Syrian society and to spare millions of refugees the prospect of years of exile, homelessness and deprivation.

"We have no illusions about how difficult and challenging this process is likely to be, but we should all do everything possible to help the people of Syria achieve peace."